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Monday, May 30, 2011

"What if you knew exactly when you would die? Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out. When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home. But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left." (Summary from goodreads.com)

Lauren DeStefano's Wither takes place in a dystopian future where women live to the age of twenty and men live to the age of twenty-five. Sixteen year old Rhine is kidnapped along with many other girls and forced into a polygamous marriage as a way to keep the population growing. Rhine is brought to live in a mansion with her husband and her sister wives where she can have anything she wants except her freedom. At the mansion, Rhine finds herself developing a unique bond with her sister wives and her husband begins to truly fall in love with her. However, Rhine is desperate to escape in order to get back to her twin brother.

Wither is a creepy and unique take on a dystopian future. DeStefano vividly creates a dark world with memorable characters that you can't help but grow an attachment to. Rhine not only knows exactly when she will die but she is unwillingly trapped in a marriage. This book captures your attention from the first sentence and holds it until the last sentence.

Rhine is a strong and brave character who will stop at nothing to escape no matter how dangerous it will be. Although each of the wives are different from one another they still share a special bond of trust as they are thrown into a world of luxury, parties, and babies. It is hard to believe that Wither is DeStefano's debut book as she excellently handles a topic such as polygamy. I highly recommend Wither and I am going to be looking forward to the next installment in this trilogy.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

"While other teenage girls daydream about boys, Calla Tor imagines ripping out her enemies’ throats. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. Calla was born a warrior and on her eighteenth-birthday she’ll become the alpha female of the next generation of Guardian wolves. But Calla’s predestined path veers off course the moment she saves the life of a wayward hiker, a boy her own age. This human boy’s secret will turn the young pack's world upside down and forever alter the outcome of the centuries-old Witches' War that surrounds them all." (Summary from andreacremer.com)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

Bloodlines

By: Richelle Mead

Release Date: August 23, 2011

"When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning. Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood." (Summary from amazon.com)

I loved Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series so I am especially looking forward to this new spin-off and to read more about Sydney.

Monday, May 23, 2011

"When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado. Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now." (Summary from goodreads.com)

Simone Elkele's Rules of Attraction is a follow up to Perfect Chemistry but this time the story focuses on Alex's little brother Carlos. Carlos is similar to his brother Alex and finds himself in trouble which is why he is sent to live with his brother in Colorado. Carlos meets Kiara, whose father was Alex's college professor, at his new high school and finds that she is like no other girl he has ever known. When Carlos finds himself in even more trouble he is sent to live with Kiara's family.

I enjoyed Rules of Attraction even more than Perfect Chemistry although both stories were fairly similar. Kiara was a likable and relateable character who was trying to find a place in her school but she wasn't obsessed with what people thought of her. Kiara likes to fix cars, go hiking, and play with her little brother. Carlos is angry with his family for sending him to Colorado and he is angry with his brother because he has changed.

I love that Elkele's alternates each chapter between Carlos and Kiara because the reader can get a deeper understanding into the characters motives and it helps move the plot along. I read this entire book in one sitting because I could not get enough of Carlos' and Kiara's story. Rules of Attraction is a romantic story with many funny moments and a little action. I strongly recommend Rules of Attraction and Perfect Chemistry.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

"Lani and Erin are bonded for life. One thing that connects them is their fascination of fate. Lani wonders how much of our lives has already been decided and how much we can actually influence. Since the Unknown can unexpectedly change our lives forever, how much can we really control? From the minute Lani meets Jason, she can't deny the intense connection they share. It feels like she's known him forever. She's not sure if he feels it, too. But it doesn't matter. Because Jason is Erin's boyfriend. Lani is determined to ignore her feelings for Jason, no matter how powerful they are, rather than risk hurting her best friend. What if the boy who is your destiny is the one person you can't have?" (Summary from susanecolasanti.com)

Susane Colasanti's Something Like Fate is the story of best friends Lani and Erin who find themselves falling for the same guy. Lani and Erin have had a unique bond since they were little kids. Jason is Erin's boyfriend but Lani finds it hard to deny the connection she feels when she is around Jason.

Lani was a likable protagonist with fascinating hobbies such as astrology and saving the planet. I found the fate aspect of the story to be interesting and different. Lani matures a great deal throughout the story and I felt that she handled the situation she found herself in the end maturely.

I enjoyed Something Like Fate because the story had relatable characters and addressed complications in relationships between friends and boyfriends. I did think that the plot was rushed a bit however and there was not enough time for the relationship between Lani and Jason to develop. The story had it's moments but the ending definitely saved the book for me and was what I enjoyed the most.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

The PledgeBy: Kimberly DertingRelease Date: November 15, 2011

"In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed. Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime." (summary from kimberlyderting.com)

I really enjoyed Kimberly Derting's Body Finder series and I am looking forward to reading her new dystopian book.

Friday, May 13, 2011

"Since her parents' bitter divorce, McLean and her dad, a restaurant consultant, have been on the move-four towns in two years. Estranged from her mother and her mother's new family, McLean has followed her dad in leaving the unhappy past behind. And each new place gives her a chance to try out a new persona: from cheerleader to drama diva. But now, for the first time, McLean discovers a desire to stay in one place and just be herself, whoever that is. Perhaps Dave, the guy next door, can help her find out." (summary from amazon.com)

Sarah Dessen's What Happened to Goodbye is the story of Mclean who now lives with her father after her parents divorce. Mclean's father is a restaurant consultant and moves often for his job which means Mclean never stays in one town for long. Each time Mclean moves she recreates herself with a new name and new personality. However, in the most recent town Mclean finds that for the first time she wants to be herself.

I found myself sympathizing for and relating to Mclean as she tries to figure out who she is and learn to deal with the aftermath of her parents divorce. She keeps herself at a distance from others as a way to protect herself. Mclean must learn to face her problems instead of running away like she has done in the past.

I enjoyed What Happened to Goodbye because it is such a realistic story about relationships within families and friends. The plot and character development is strong. Dessen creates both unique characters and an appealing setting. I definitely recommend What Happened to Goodbye it is an excellent book about discovering who you are.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

"After discovering that vampires populate her town, college student Claire Danvers knows that the undead just want to live their lives. But someone else wants them to get ready to rumble. There's a new extreme sport getting picked up on the Internet: bare- knuckle fights pitting captured vampires against each other-or humans. Tracking the remote signal leads Claire- accompanied by her friends and frenemies-to discover that what started as an online brawl will soon threaten everyone in Morganville..." (Summary from amazon.com)

Bite Club is the tenth book in Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampire series. I enjoyed Bite Club just as much as the other books in the series because they are quick and fun reads. Claire and her friends uncover humans fighting against vampires in matches broadcast online. Claire must find out who is behind these broadcasts before the vampire founder Amelie takes the situation into her own hands.

One thing I particularly loved about Bite Club was that parts of the story were narrated by Shane which helped move the plot along and gave a different perspective on the situation. It was interesting to finally get inside Shane's head and learn about his hopes and fears. Shane and Claire must face a few problems in their relationship because both are keeping secrets from one another.

I enjoy this series so much because of the characters who each bring the story to life. The plot is wrapped up in the end just as the previous books do but there are still a few questions left unanswered that leave me anxious for the next book. Overall I enjoyed Bite Club and suggest, if you have not already, to pick up the Morganville Vampire series.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

"In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself. During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her." (Summary from goodreads.com)

Veronica Roth's Divergent takes place in a dystopian Chicago where individuals are divided into five different factions. These five factions are Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. On Beatrice's sixteenth birthday she must choose which faction she will dedicate her life to. Beatrice must choose to either stay in the faction she was raised in or betray her family and transfer.

I enjoyed this book so much that I could barely put it down once I started and I already can not wait to read it again. Roth's writing is excellent as she brings a fascinating world with interesting and realistic characters to life. Beatrice is a fierce but compassionate protagonist. She is a character that I can find myself not only admiring but relating to as well. Four is a mysterious and complex character that I was anxious to learn more about from the moment he was first introduced.

Divergent is a captivating story with countless unexpected twists and surprises. The unpredictable, exciting, and action filled plot picks up immediately and flows perfectly to the end. The setting that Roth creates is described in great and vivid detail. I absolutely loved everything about this story and can not wait to see where Roth goes next with this trilogy. If you have not already picked up a copy of Divergent then I strongly recommend you do.

Disclaimer

All reviews published on this blog are based on books that I have either purchased myself or received from an author or publisher in exchange for an honest review. It is noted in the review whether I purchased a book myself or received the book from the publisher or author. I receive no compensation from any of the reviews that I publish. Unless otherwise noted, all photos used on this blog are from Google and are not owned by me.